We had an Adobe Connect meeting in one of my classes tonight. I logged in. I did everything I was supposed to. But the stenographer never showed up and you had to participate interactively in the meeting, or write a long-ass research paper…. Guess who now has to do extra work because FIU- a public, state university with nationally ranked law and med schools continues to fail when it comes to complying with the ADA.

I made sure everyone who needed to know about the Adobe Connect meeting did, with plenty of notice. I asked multiple times what *I* needed to do to prepare. I asked disability services, the professor, and even emailed with the transcription company directly… multiple times. I asked AGAIN this morning if I needed to do anything else.

“Nope. Just log in.” They said.

The stenographer even confirmed that SHE had spoken with the professor and said “I’ll see you on the web cam tonight.”

The stupid people never got the sign in link!

I sat there, outside in the freezing cold, just to be sure I didn’t drop the internet connection trying my hardest to participate. But it was impossible. The professor wasn’t even on camera. There was no way to even TRY to follow.

I do not understand the material. I did not get to participate in the lecture. And now I’m stuck doing the punishment assignment, writing a stupid research paper on stuff I really don’t understand.

I’m pissed.

If they had shown up like they were expected to, I would have had access to live help to ask questions, and I wouldn’t have to do extra work.

My cousin and a close friend both told me not to go, because I’ve been feeling kind of fragile and eating disorder-y lately. They said it’d be wiser to upset my mother, in order to protect myself.

I didn’t listen… But I should have.

My mother hates her children. She seriously hates us. I try so hard to be appeasing and kind and helpful. But she still yells at me a lot. Like all the time.

I didn’t eat one single thing Thursday-Saturday. There was a Whole Foods right by our hotel, but she wouldn’t let me go. Sunday, she needed to go somewhere and wanted company. I said I’d go, if she’d stop at Whole Foods so I could just run in. She said yes and was very sweet to me while we were driving. We had a family brunch when we got back and I asked if I could bring my yogurt to eat there with the family. She said yes again and was still very sweet.

The minute we sat down to start eating, she ripped into me. I am a selfish bitch. I don’t think of anyone but myself. I am stuck up. What the fuck is my problem. Do I think I’m too good to eat hotel food. Maybe I should know that she was paying $120 a night, and I should be more appreciative.

… There was simply NOTHING I could eat, anywhere. I wasn’t trying to be difficult.

Of course, the whole thing was so horrible and humiliating… I went to the bathroom and threw up as soon as I finished.

I’ve lost just shy of 20 pounds in the past two weeks, but my mother still thinks I’m a disgrace. I wish I knew how to be better.

It’s not off to a stellar start. I had to show my teeth a little bit in order to get things done. I’m pretty sure everyone in Miami is now scared of me. It’s not the ideal way to make a first impression. Nothing was happening, so I fired off a polite, but firm email reminding the people down there that they have an obligation to make this education accessible to me. I also copied the Bishopzin, and a local deaf advocate.

Marcia tells a story about wanting a trashy magazine removed from her children’s eye level at the grocery store when they were little, so she told the manager that she was connected to a very big church and knew a lot of people who felt the placement of that particular magazine was inappropriate. In actuality, she had never spoken with anyone else about it, but when she gave herself an army, the situation was immediately resolved and the offending magazine was relocated.

So, with that story in mind, I not only advocated for myself, I created an army. Lemme tell ya, it worked!

I’m pretty sure no one will let my needs go ignored for the rest of my education there.

Still, it took time… time that was supposed to be already for learning. And it was stressful. It’s still stressful. I don’t do “wing-it” well. And I don’t do last-minute AT ALL. There’s been a lot of both happening these past two weeks, and it’s really taking a toll.

I’m sick. I didn’t work today, and probably won’t work tomorrow. I’ve lost 15 pounds. Monday night I spent hours throwing up from stress (not eating disorder). My throat hurts. My body hurts. The thought of eating hurts. Nothing is working right. I feel like I need a lot of extra support right now, and everyone around me is so busy, I just don’t want to ask.

I’m going on vacation with my mom this weekend, to visit her entire family. I don’t foresee that going well for me. I need support and consistency, not strange food with judgey relatives on someone else’s schedule.

This weekend happened too fast. It was my first full week back after the holidays, which is tiring, and now the weekend is gone and I haven’t even gotten a chance to unwind!

Friday, my friend was supposed to come up around 12:30 to visit. Then she wasn’t coming at all, then she was coming, but later, then we were going to meet one place, then she changed it, then I couldn’t find it… By the time I got there, I was falling apart. We aren’t able to get together very often, but I love seeing her when we do. I spent the entire time so extremely tense. When I got home, my hands were bleeding from scratching them with my nails. I cried in Starbucks and told her making decisions is too hard sometimes, when she asked what I wanted.

Saturday, I had to cover babysitting 9-10:30 for the other sitter last minute, and was also scheduled to volunteer at Regionals 25 minutes away at 10:30. Being late for anything stresses me out… A LOT. The teacher ran over by 20 minutes and I scratched up my arms worrying about being late and driving there.

I had to go to a job right after the competition and I was starving. I ran into Publix for sushi on my way. But when I sat down for dinner with the baby… She stole it all.

Today, I had to babysit again, but there were no kids. Then I met a friend to go work with a behavior dog. I love really screwed up dogs, it’s true. There aren’t many things I find more fun than training with a challenging dog. But it’s draining.

After the dog, I had another job. It’s the most stressful one I have, and I dread going every week, but can’t seem to tell them no. I was so anxious in the car before I went in, my heart was racing, I could hardly breathe and I thought I was going to die.

The kids were reliably difficult, and the parents ran over by about an hour. When I left, ALLLLL I wanted to do was go home and sleep. But I had to run in to Publix and The Fresh Market (both on the way), as I was driving home, already dreaming of jammies and my bed… I remembered that my brother is coming up and I promised him we could go for late night pizza at Mellow.

Sometimes, the words for a situation simply do not exist, while the need to acknowledge is very much does. When my mom’s boyfriend was murdered two years ago, I couldn’t tell her anything to take away her sadness, but I wanted her to know I cared. The same when my Baby Sister’s young friend passed away a few months ago.

So I started this. I draw hearts on my feet, and dedicate my practice. I take pictures for the people I care about.

Today, I practice for Jordan. I think I’m out of tears, and flowery words, and heartbreak. 16 years ago today, my young friend was taken from us way too soon. Maybe that’s what they mean by “resolved” grief.

I have healed, but he will forever be a part of my story. So today, I dedicate my yoga to his memory.